Shows
Shu"T First, Ask Questions Later85. Umbrellas and the Austerity Gospel - Feat. Rabbi Elli FischerWe welcome back Rabbi Elli Fischer who regales us with his historical detective work to piece together an angle to the 18th-19th century umbrella controversy that most readers miss when they study the Noda B'Yehuda (vol. 2, O.C. #30) and Chasam Sofer (O.C. #72). Our discussion serves a perfect case study for how responsa not only inform the study of history, but how history informs our understanding of the responsa.
2025-09-2556 min
Alles Geschichte - Der History-PodcastWESTDEUTSCHLAND NACH 1945 - Mythos TrümmerfrauenNach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg kümmerten sich vor allem professionelle Baufirmen um die Beseitigung der Trümmer, mit Hilfe tüchtiger Frauen. Aber nicht sie, sondern die "Trümmerfrauen" wurden zum Mythos. Von Marita Krauss (BR 2021)Credits Autorin: Marita Krauss Regie: Martin Trauner Technik: Siglinde Hermann Es sprachen: Katja Amberger, Detlef Kügow, Christiane Blumhoff, Jerzy May Redaktion: Nicole Ruchlak Im Interview: Else Rau Linktipps ARD Archivradio (2025): Reportage über Trümmerfrauen in Berlin vDas Bild der fröhlich anpackenden Trümmerfau prägt bis heute unsere Wahrn...
2025-07-0422 min
The Jewish Drinking ShowRabbi Yeḥezkel Landau's Responsum on Isinglass in Mead, featuring Rabbi Elli Fischer [The Jewish Drinking Show, Episode #177]IntroductionA fascinating matter in the world of kashrut, especially regarding the kashrut of beverages, is the inclusion of using isinglass for the refining of beverages, whether mead, beer, wine, or even other beverages. This was not always the case, as Rabbi Yeḥezkel Landau wrote a responsum permitting its use [for the use in clarifying mead] (נודע ביהודה מהדורא קמא, יורה דעה כ"ו). This 177th episode of The Jewish Drinking Show features Rabbi Elli Fischer in going through this particular responsum permitting isinglass for the use in clarifying alcoholic beverages.BioRabbi Elli Fischer is an independent writer, translator, and rabbi...
2025-06-0946 min
18 Questions, 40 MysticsElli Fischer: 'The Torah ideal is for Israel to be a religious state'The Torah wants Israel to be a religious state, Rabbi Elli Fischer says. Just, maybe, not right now. A historian, writer, translator, and educator, Elli Fischer extensively explores the relationship between Jewish law and the Jewish state, in the past, present, and future. Elli was a previous guest on 18Forty's Zionism series and a 3-Month Book Journey Leader. A founding editor of The Lehrhaus, Elli was ordained by Israel’s Chief Rabbinate and is working toward a doctorate in Jewish History at Tel Aviv University; his work has appeared far and wide.Now, he joins Sruli...
2025-05-191h 05
Frank’s Schnack Podcast - Ein Leben ohne Reisen ist möglich, aber sinnlos!Unterm Knie schneide nieDanke an Diana, oder wie wir sagen Elli für die Teilnahme an der Mallorca Reise. Ich habe Dich letzt Woche vergessen!Was war?Im Büro war viel liegen geblieben!Ich war mit dem Knie beim Hausarzt. Erst einmal ein paar Diclofenac verschrieben bekommen!Community-Abend organisiert von Joern im Rahmen der Fokus-Freunde Community zum Thema Reportage.https://www.skool.com/online-fotoclub-fokus-freunde/aboutDie Beine hochgelegt…Mittwochs-Video:Werbung:https://www.ff-fotoschule.de/reiseziele/mallorcaWas wird?Os...
2025-04-1913 min
Frank’s Schnack Podcast - Ein Leben ohne Reisen ist möglich, aber sinnlos!VerzocktWenn wir dem Erpressungsversuch des Friedrich M. jetzt noch lange und mehr Aufmerksamkeit schenken, dann stärkt das nicht die Mitte, sondern die s.g. Alternative! Er ist einfach ein Zocker, der mit unserer Zukunft und der Zukunft Europas gezockt hat und dabei haben wir und die Zukunft Europas verloren! How dare you!!!oder hier:Die gute Nachricht - Geflüchtete und Asyl sind nicht das wichtigste Thema in diesem Wahlkampf:https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/670815/umfrage/umfrage-zu-den-wichtigsten-themen-im-wahlkampf-zur-bundestagswahl-in-deutschland/Gestern habe ich in einem eurer WhatsApp-Stati die Frage ge...
2025-02-0127 min
What Happened in the Malachite WastesSpondylus KillariLu makes lunch.Content Warnings: Microaggressions, Cultural Insensitivity, References to Colonialism and Apartheid, HomesicknessCast and CrewCreator and Host: Isabella (Z) VergunShow Producer: Annalise FischerAudio Team Leader and Composer: Ryan TuckerDialogue Lead: Nathan KlejmanDialogue Editor: Jonathan (Junkle) RodriguezSFX and Foley: Alex TorrejonLead Artist, Design Team: Gargoyle PasturesArt Team: Anna Renee Chavez & Caroline GendronServer Warlock: Alex GlicaLorekeeper: Kyler CarterSocial...
2024-12-091h 49
Schwanzwedeln99 Hund und Familie - Bereicherung und VerantwortungInterview mit Jörg Bartscherer, Geschäftsführer VDH e.V
Heute haben wir Jörg Bartscherer vom Verband für das Deutsche Hundewesen zu Gast. Den Verband haben wir im Schwanzwedeln Podcast bereits in Folge 81 vorgestellt. Ich verlinke Euch diese Folge hier gerne nochmal in den Shownotes. Gemeinsam tauchen wir heute tief in die Welt der Hunde ein und besprechen, wie unsere Fellnasen nicht nur unser Leben bereichern, sondern auch die Entwicklung unserer Kinder positiv beeinflussen können. Wir werden darüber sprechen, warum Hunde so unglaublich wertvoll für Familien sind, welche Verantwortung sie mit sich bringen und welc...
2024-09-2838 min
Down The Rabbi HolePicking up the Pieces: On the Oven of AkhnaiSome thoughts and ideas on the famous story of the Oven of Akhnai, which appears in tomorrow's Daf (Bava Metzia 59)
2024-04-2658 minShu"T First, Ask Questions Later36. Have You Ever Seen the Rain? A Radical Ruling of the Rosh - Feat. Rabbi Elli FischerWhy do we seem to pray for rain at the wrong times? Can we adjust the dates for V'sein Tal U'matar? Who even came up with setting December 4th/5th as a day of halachic significance? Rabbi Elli Fischer shares with us a radical ruling of the Rosh (Responsum 4:10) on this topic and its intriguingly fraught reception.
Rabbi Fischer's very own translation of this responsum can be found on Sefaria.
Please note his more recently updated bio: Rabbi Elli Fischer is an independent writer, translator, and rabbi. Previously, he was the JLIC rabbi and campus educator at the University...
2024-04-0239 min
Down The Rabbi HoleSome Thoughts on the Purim Story and Senator Lieberman zt"lAn idea developed by the Ketav Sofer on Megillat Esther resonates with something that appeared in Daf Yomi a few days ago and with the life and legacy of Senator Joe Lieberman.
The idea of the Ketav Sofer appears here: https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14083&pgnum=337
The idea that emerges on Bava Metzia 32b is here: Rashi s.v. אי אמרת https://shas.alhatorah.org/Full/Bava_Metzia/32b.9#e0n6
The link to Rabbi Ethan Tucker's eulogy for Senator Lieberman is here: https://www.youtube.com/live/_NTVjFB_FnU?si=8fu-kCINHVPhlHnc&t=5515
2024-04-0238 min
Shtark TankBONUS: Rav Elli Fischer, Purim Shpiel UPDATEDRav Elli Fischer is an independent writer, translator, and rabbi. You can follow him on X.
To invite Rav Elli as a scholar in residence click here.
With Purim approaching, we discussed the serious role of the Purim Shpiel in our religious lives, as well as the importance of hocking.
Please join the Shtark Tank Quiet Whatsapp Group for exclusive bonus content!
If you have any sort of feedback, or just want to say hey, don't hesitate! You can reach me by email and LinkedIn
2024-03-2053 min
Down The Rabbi HoleRadbaz vol. 1, no. 40 - Ransoming CaptivesRadbaz, R. David Ibn Abu Zimra, addresses the question of what constitutes 'overpaying' to ransom a Jewish captive.
This episode gets into the economic and political realities of the 16th century in the Mediterranean basin, including the burgeoning slave trade, and the resulting attention to the great mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim, ransoming captives.
Here's a link to the responsum: https://www.sefaria.org/Teshuvot_HaRadbaz_Volume_1.40.1?lang=bi
And here's a link to the first part of my series on Rav Ovadiah Yosef's teshuvah on the Entebbe hostages: https://jewishreviewofbooks.com/contemporary-israel/14972/rabbi-ovadia-yosefs-and-the-halakhot-of-hostages-part-i/
2023-12-2057 min
Turn it and Turn itProfiles in Pesak (3/3) with Rabbi Elli FischerThis season of Turn it & Turn it is on the topic of: "Halakhic History"
Rabbinic decisors have shaped the contours of Halakhah over the generations with their determinations across Jewish law, including in complex and controversial cases. This series will analyze the process and methods of three such Poskim who published responsa over the past two centuries – The Hatam Sofer, Hazon Ish, and Rav Ovadia Yosef.
This audio was originally captured from Zoom on 02/17/2021 as part of Drisha's Spring Zman.
2023-11-221h 42
X und Y - Der Podcast über Medien und FeminismusSexismus im Schlager oder tausendmal diskriminiertSchlager fühlt sich leicht an, nach guter Laune und Party. Da singt es sich schon mal ganz ungezwungen über die ein oder andere stereotype Line hinweg. Dabei gibt es nicht erst seit Layla Debatten darüber, was im Bierzelt und auf dem Ballermann musikalisch anerkannt sein sollte - vor allem, weil es ja auch anders geht. Wir waren überrascht, wie viel Feminismus wir letztendlich im Schlager entdecken konnten. Hört mal rein!
Und: Wir sind jetzt bei Steady und freuen uns, wenn ihr über ein Abo dort unsere Arbeit unterstützt! https://steady.page/de/x-und-y-der-podcast-ueber-medien-und-feminismus/about
--- Musikjournalist Michael...
2023-10-0458 min
Down The Rabbi HoleKrakenfruit (the Buddha's Hand Etrog)Two of the greatest rabbis of the Bavli Jewish community in recent centuries address the status of a new type of fruit that arrived from the Far East. Is it a kosher etrog?
The question is addressed in two responsa, one by R. Abdullah Somekh and one by his student, R. Yosef Hayyim, both of Baghdad.
Link to the responsum: https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=32212&st=&pgnum=379
2023-09-2849 min
Down The Rabbi HolePublic and Private Penance (Responsa Maharam Lublin)We generally think of confession and penance as either a private matter between a person and God, or as a matter between the perpetrator and victim of a wrong. But not that long ago there were forms of penance that were very public. What's the idea behind them, and what can they teach us about social healing today?
We will be studying and discussing a series of responsa by Maharam Lublin. Here is a link to the responsa: https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=1937&pgnum=39
2023-09-2445 min
Down The Rabbi HoleBook Journeys, Some Updates, and the Hoshanot Mosh PitThe episode begins with some updates. First, an introduction to the "Book Journey" that I will begin next week. Sign up link:
https://18forty.org/bookjourney/
This is an outgrowth of the 18forty podcast episode in which R. David Bashevkin and I discussed the vision and reality of a Jewish polity governed by Halakhah. Here's a link to the episode:
https://18forty.org/podcast/elli-fischer-can-israel-follow-jewish-law/
I was also a recent guest on two other podcasts. First, Rav David Silverstein and I discussed the nature of rabbinic authority on Yeshivat Orayta's "Tzarich Iyun" podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/71aX8L9...
2023-06-2858 min
18Forty PodcastJosh Foer: How Can You Make a Digital Library for All? [Books II 1/4]This series is sponsored by an anonymous lover of books.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Joshua Foer, co-founder of Sefaria, about the revolutionary digital Jewish library of which he was the visionary.Prior to Sefaria, the possibility of finding the Talmud and other central Jewish texts in translation online felt entirely out of reach. Now, we take for granted that any Jew in the world can access the fullness of the tradition. In this episode we discuss: How did Foer come up with...
2023-06-271h 36
Tzarich Iyun — A Podcast from Yeshivat OraytaRabbinic Authority and the Technological Revolution with Rav Elli Fischer [Rabbinic Authority, Part 1]How have new technologies changed people’s relationship to rabbinic authority? How have rabbis responded to these challenges? In this episode Rav David Silverstein is joined by Rav Elli Fischer to discuss these questions through the prism of various 21st century rabbinic leaders.Rav Elli Fischer is an independent writer, translator, and rabbi. Previously, he was the OU-JLIC rabbi and campus educator at the University of Maryland. He holds BA and MS degrees from Yeshiva University, rabbinical ordination from Israel’s Chief Rabbinate, and is working toward a doctorate in Jewish History at Tel Aviv...
2023-06-181h 10
18Forty PodcastElli Fischer: Can Israel Follow Jewish Law? [Zionism 3/4]This series is sponsored by Unpacking Israeli History.In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Elli Fischer— a writer, translator, and editor—about the relationship between Jewish law and the Jewish state.For almost 2,000 years, we were able to maintain a system of Jewish law without the convenience of a homeland. Yet now, when we have our own state, Jewish law seems more difficult and complicated to implement than ever.In this episode we discuss: What is the effect of halacha on the Jewish stat...
2023-05-091h 48
Desert Island TorahEp.81 with Rav Elli FischerIn honor of Lag Ba'Omer, we decided to change locations from a Desert Island to a Cave! In this episode, we speak to Rav Elli Fischer, who looks at the Tanakh, Talmud Bavli and the Beit Yosef.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rav Elli is an independent writer and translator, and you can check out his podcast here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/down-the-rabbi-hole/id1594341746
https://open.spotify.com/show/38S3w1JsF1BPSpy5CmMKxm?si=7095a81d043a4b2d
2023-05-0825 min
Down The Rabbi HoleRabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, Part III: The DebateOn the conversation about Rome between Rashi, R. Yehuda, and R. Yosi
2023-05-0522 min
Down The Rabbi HoleRabbi Shimon Bar Yohai, Part II: The Return to YavnehIn this episode we look at several other passages from the Babylonian Talmud that oddly, anachronistically, and in contrast to sources from Eretz Yisrael, are set in Yavneh. We propose that the Bavli wanted to "bundle" these passages together so that we read them in light of one another. And what does that yield? That the Bavli envisioned the rabbinic leaders of that generation dealing with pressing theological and political issues that arose in the generation after the defeat of Bar Kokhba.
We look (again) at the institution of the fourth berakhah of Birkat Hamazon, the successive exiles of the...
2023-05-0233 min
Down The Rabbi HoleRabbi Shimon Bar Yohai and his Generation, Part I: The Debacle and the ChallengeRabbi Shimon bar Yohai (Rashbi) is one of the most evocative figures in Jewish history. Not only is he one of the greatest tanna'im and a primary disciple of Rabbi Akiva, but he is credited with composing the Zohar during the thirteen years that he lived in a cave, hiding from the Romans.
In this series, we will look not only at the famous aggadot about Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai from Shabbat 33b-34a, but at a series of passages from the Gemara that broaden the story into something much bigger.
Throughout the series, I will offer occasional historical and...
2023-05-0144 min
Down The Rabbi HoleChacham Tzvi vs. Chasam Sofer on MarrorSome people use lettuce, and some use horseradish. But which is the "real" marror? Both? One or the other?
In this episode we look at how two different sages, living a century apart, addressed this issue. It also gives us some insight into the personalities of these two great sages.
The texts that we will study can be found here:
Chacham Tzvi #120: https://www.sefaria.org.il/Chakham_Tzvi.120.1?lang=he
Chasam Soder, Orach Chaim 132: https://www.sefaria.org/Responsa_Chatam_Sofer%2C_Orach_Chayim.132.5?lang=he
חג כשר ושמח!
2023-04-0336 min
Down The Rabbi HoleCounting a Golem for a Minyan: Two Responsa from a Father and SonHakham Zvi #93 and She'elat Yaavetz 2:82 address the question of whether a golem - an artificial human, a manmade man - may be counted for a minyan. This seems like a really strange question, but it actually gets to some of the major philosophical issues of the 18th century. If God is compared to a Divine Clockmaker, does that mean that humans are really sophisticated clocks? Can the process of creating humans be duplicated? What are the basic building blocks of creation? These questions and more underlie a superficially bizarre and arcane halakhic question.
2023-01-2949 min
Down The Rabbi HoleUsing Non-Jewish Names - a Close Reading of Rav Asher Weiss's EssayAccording to a well-known narrative, the Bnei Yisrael did not change their names, language, or dress in Egypt. Elsewhere I have written about the origins and iterations of this and related ideas. See: https://www.academia.edu/28574595/_They_did_not_Change_their_Names_their_Language_or_their_Dress_The_Life_cycle_of_a_Peculiar_Midrashic_Variant. An interesting treatment of this issue is found in a "quasi-responsum" or "pseudo-responsum" of Rav Asher Weiss: Minchas Asher on Shemos, siman 1. Available here: https://minchasasher.com/shiur/shmot-shmot-shiurim/jewish-identity-shelo-shinu-5778/. I think this essay actually helps us understand Rav Asher and his public persona...
2023-01-1358 min
Down The Rabbi HoleRadbaz (1479-1573) on the Status of an Abyssinian JewRecently there has been a lot of discussion about the origins of the people of Israel and who are the "real" descendants of the tribes of Israel. In this episode, we look at a responsum from the 1500s that indirectly addresses questions about how we "know" who is a Jew or Israelite. The question of how we know things is crucial for understanding the history of Halakhah, but also for understanding the world we inhabit and the beliefs if the people who are shaping it. This responsum from 500 years ago therefore has a great deal of contemporary importance, on...
2023-01-041h 04
Rav Joe's 929 Tanakh PodcastEp. 221: Shmuel I Ch.3 by Rabbi Elli Fischer | Shmuel receives a message of appointment from God - but he thinks that the voice is Eli...?Text for this chapter can be found here: https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.3
2022-12-2906 min
Down The Rabbi HoleChavos Yair 222 on Women Reciting KaddishThis episode is a bit of an experiment, to see if a recorded shiur with a little intro "works" as a podcast, as a millennial Twitter follower suggests. The topic is the teshuvah of Chavos Yair on the recitation of Kaddish by women, and it's an attempt to understand that particular responsum in its context. It is not intended practically. Here is a link to the responsum. https://www.sefaria.org/Havot_Yair.222
2022-12-1452 min
Down The Rabbi HoleNames Matter: How Turkey became Kosher (and Corn became Kitniyot)In honor of Thanksgiving, a short episode on why the great Jewish unconscious deemed turkey kosher (and Ashkenazim treated corn as kitniyot). Funny enough, it's the same reason
2022-11-2219 minDown The Rabbi HoleYom Kippur and Collective BargainingAn approach to what we are trying to accomplish on Yom Kippur, weaving together themes from the two goats offered in the Temple, Moshe's argument to God to spare the people of Israel, Yitzchak Avinu's selection of Yaakov over Esav, and some basic ideas about labor, unions, and negotiation. This is an elaboration of something I said in my conversation with Rav Moshe Taragin here: https://youtu.be/AFfwgcnkcjE
2022-10-0436 minDown The Rabbi HoleThe Invention of Elluuulllll, Part IISome more insights into how Elul became Elllluuuuullll, after some great listener feedback.
2022-09-2132 minDown The Rabbi HoleHow Elul became Elllluuuuullll!!!!!There's no doubt that Elul has a certain feel, a certain vibe. But if you look at classical sources, there's no mention of Elul being a time for introspection or repentance or, really, anything. How did it get to be the way it is?
2022-09-1228 minDown The Rabbi HoleUnderstanding the "Break" in Birkat Hamazon: A Halakhic, Aggadic, and Historical JourneyWhy do we answer אמן to our own recitation of the third berakhah of Birkat Hamazon? The answer is halakhic and has to do with the structuring of berakhot in series. Ashkenazim and Sephardim have slightly different approaches. But according to all, Birkat Hamazon doesn't really follow the rules. To understand what's going on behind the halakhah, we need to understand how the Sages imagined the history of Birkat Hamazon and how they viewed the fall of Betar in the year 135 - an event that we commemorate on Tisha B'Av as well as on Tu B'Av.
2022-08-0939 min
18Forty PodcastThree Editors: A Conversation with Heads of the Major Jewish Publishers [Books 1/3]In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to the heads of the three major Jewish publishing houses, Rabbi Gedaliah Zlotowitz of ArtScroll Mesorah Publications, Matthew Miller of Koren Publishers, and Altie Karper of Schocken Books.Aside from all rejecting David Bashevkin’s work, these three pillars of Jewish publishing all share a common goal of contributing to Jewish scholarship in order to help better cultivate the Jewish People. - How can we use storytelling to bring out the best in others?- How was Koren revitalized?- How did some department stores in...
2022-07-121h 39
Down The Rabbi HoleBonus Episode with More Discussion of Yom Haatzma'ut Practices with Prof. Chaim SaimanThere was an entire section of our conversation that I forgot to publish. This was supposed to be part of the first episode with Prof. Saiman. I've added the recordings to that episode and also posted it as a "standalone" episode for people who already listened.
2022-06-0311 min
Down The Rabbi HoleShlissel Challah, Reb Shayale, and the universalization of niche observancesIn this episode we discuss observances - specifically pilgrimages to the grave of Reb Shayale of Kerestir and other kivrei tzadikim in far-flung places, as well as schlissel challah, which are observed during this time of year - and consider the factors that may drive the significant surge in their popularity.
I am joined once again by Prof. Chaim Saiman, author of Halakhah: The Rabbinic Idea of Law, a professor at the Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova University, and a close friend of almost 30 years.
2022-06-0222 min
Down The Rabbi HoleThe reception of Yom Ha'atzma'ut 'Halakhah'; the value of halfhearted observance; considering how customs develop - with Prof. Chaim SaimanIn this episode, we look at the development of customs, nusach, and perhaps Halakhah more generally by looking at Yom Ha'atzma'ut observances, which are changing in real time. Includes a fascinating observation about a particular milestone in reception history of observances.
I am joined by Prof. Chaim Saiman, author of Halakhah: The Rabbinic Idea of Law, a professor at the Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova University, and a close friend of almost 30 years (!).
2022-06-0227 minDown The Rabbi HoleOn the Origin of the Custom to Avoid Kitniyot; thoughts on Ha Lachma Anya, Yachatz, and AfikomanIn this episode we delve into the murky origins of the Ashkenazic custom to avoid Pesach and offer what I think is the most compelling explanation. We also get into some other customs that originate in Medieval Ashkenaz. Finally, we offer some thoughts on the relationship between Ha Lachma Anya, Yachatz, and the Afikoman, concluding with some speculation on how this theory fits into the history of - yup, Medieval Ashkenaz.
2022-04-1937 min
Down The Rabbi HoleTattoos According to R. Chaim Kanievsky and... Lenny Bruce (lehavdil)?In this episode we delve into R. Chaim Kanievsky's treatise on tattoos, called Patshegen HaKetav, as an example of how he thought, organized, and wrote. Along the way, we get a bit sidetracked by halakhic questions pertaining to tattoos and even suggest a "mekor" for the mistaken belief that someone with a tattoo cannot be buried in a Jewish cemetery.
Link to the first page of R. Chaim Kanievsky's Patshegen HaKetav: https://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=47701&st=&pgnum=58
Link to an article I wrote on tattoos 9 years ago: https://www.jta.org/2013/03/07/ny...
2022-04-0452 minDown The Rabbi HoleOn Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt"l and on the "New" Role of Sar HaTorahOn what made R. Chaim Kanievsky unique. And on the social leadership role that he held - or that was foisted upon him - in his later years.
2022-03-1936 min
Orthodox ConundrumWholesale Vs. Retail Halacha: Understanding the Rav Eliezer Melamed Controversy (103)Rav Eliezer Melamed, the author of the Peninei Halacha series, has recently been condemned by some very important rabbis. These well-respected individuals didn't merely disagree with his specific opinions, but also used ad hominem language and attacked him personally. What's actually going on? To understand the attempted ban, what Rav Melamed is trying to accomplish, what specific ideas are so controversial, and why the controversy has erupted now, Scott spoke to Rabbi Elli Fischer, the editor of the English Peninei Halacha series. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum...
2022-03-1455 minDown The Rabbi HoleRav Melamed and Peninei Halakha 4: Responsa vs. Codes, Wholesale vs. Retail HalakhaIn this final episode of the series on Peninei Halakha we get into the meat of the current controversy and its roots. We also discuss "wholesale" vs. "retail" Halakha and the importance of this distinction.
2022-03-1139 minDown The Rabbi HoleR Melamed and Peninei Halakha 3: Codes, Commentaries, and ResponsaIn this episode, I discuss three genres of halakhic writing: codes, commentaries ("nosei Kelim"), and responsa (teshuvot). Each genre has specific objectives and goals. After a discussion of commentaries, I begin the discussion of codes vs. responsa by looking at the rulings of Rav Melamed and Rav Asher Weiss on a particular issue, one that is the subject of much controversy. Through this we start to get a glimpse of why Rav Melamed has begun to face opposition.
2022-02-1849 minDown The Rabbi HoleRav Melamed and Peninei Halakha II: R. Melamed's "Civilizational" Approach to HalakhaFor Rav Melamed, the Torah is the blueprint for an ideal Jewish society in Eretz Yisrael. The details of halakha fit into a broader vision of that ideal society, and sometimes seemingly disparate areas of halakha work together in surprising ways.
2022-02-0758 minDown The Rabbi HoleRav Eliezer Melamed and Peninei Halakhah I: Introducing a PhenomenonRav Eliezer Melamed has recently been criticized harshly by leading rabbis from the right wing of Religious Zionism. This affords an opportunity to introduce Rav Melamed and his ongoing magnum opus, Peninei Halakha. In this first episode, I detail who he is, what the Peninei Halakha project is, and where it fits in the history of halakha. The upshot: His is the first successful reorganization of practical halakha in almost 700 years!
2022-02-0349 minDown The Rabbi HoleThe Torah's Rhetoric/Punishment Gap on Sexual Transgression; Thoughts on Responses to WalderEpisode 10: We discuss an interesting phenomenon: Sometimes, the punishment that the Torah prescribes for sexual transgressions are not commensurate with the rhetorical severity ascribed to those same transgressions. This tendency becomes even more pronounced in the Neviim and Chazal. I cannot provide a reason for this gap, but I find that it can justify our outrage even in cases where the Torah's prescribed punishment seems minor.
2022-01-2137 minDown The Rabbi HoleDown the Rabbinate Hole II: Halakhah and HierarchyIn this episode we describe the essential structure of halakhic authority as a social phenomenon (not as a matter of doctrine). We describe two models - the formal hierarchical model and the horizontally distributed model - and contend, elaborating on the view of Jacob Katz, that Halakhah operates according to a third model - an informal, emergent hierarchy. The implication of this model is that there is no such thing as articulation of Halakhah in a vacuum. Reception and acceptance by communities is an inherent element of what makes Halakhah.
2022-01-0241 minDown The Rabbi HoleDown the Rabbinate Hole I: Conversion in the State of IsraelConversion and its regulation is a major political fight in Israel today. Who is right? What's the debate? In this episode, I begin to take a broader look at institutionalized religion in Israel and try to situate the conversion conundrum within that. We get into the nitty gritty of the Halakhah and address an important graphic feature of how the laws of conversion were codified. We take issue with an otherwise excellent book by Barry Wimpfheimer. We go on a tangent about Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai and some key differences between them. We discuss a bit about the founding...
2021-12-3056 minDown The Rabbi HoleEpisode 7: A Little on NittelOn the origins of Jewish customs for "Nittel Nacht", or Christmas Eve. It's not the Chassidishe custom you thought it was. It actually originates somewhere else entirely... Some notes on this episode. Here's a thread I did last year on Twitter. You can see that here. It includes links to a source sheet and some nice pics/scans. https://twitter.com/Adderabbi/status/1342153328709545985?t=jKnOcnxM-N9NSxpmw552Kg&s=19
2021-12-2455 minDown The Rabbi HoleThe 8th of Teves and Chasam Sofer's Fascination with itIn this episode we cover:
A bit on the Chabad celebration of 5 Teves, "Yom Didan Natzach"
Background on Megillas Taanis - both the Tannaitic and Geonic versions
Attitudes toward the translation of the Torah into Greek - in Chazal and among other groups
The Chasam Sofer's fascination with the 8th of Teves as the day commemorating the translation
Links to articles mentioned:
Moshe Simon-Shoshan, "The Tasks of the Translators: The Rabbis, The Septuagint, and the Cultural Politics of Translation"
Maoz Kahana, "How Chatam Sofer Vanquished Spinoza" (Hebrew)
Elli Fischer, "Azariah de Rossi's Fascination with the Septuagint"
2021-12-1245 minDown The Rabbi HoleJudaizersThroughout Chanukah, we heard about Hellenizers, the Jews who took on elements of Greek culture. But what about Judaizers - non-Jews who are attracted to and take on elements of Jewish culture and religion? They have existed for thousands of years. Do we have a way of thinking about them?
2021-12-0537 min
Down The Rabbi HoleRav David Zvi Hoffmann, part 4 (and final)Final episode, on RDZH, discussing his combination of different ways of learning Torah (academic, pilpulistic, halakhic), commentary on the Germany of his era, and his hopes for the future.
Link to a poster with the schedule of the conference on RDZH on January 3, 2022.
2021-11-2831 minDown The Rabbi HoleRav David Zvi Hoffmann, part 3Using Rav Hoffmann's introduction to Melamed Le-ho'il as a jumping off point, we discuss his life, work, unique combination of styles and methods, and important contributions to different areas of Torah. In this episode, we discuss a major turning point in R. Hoffmann's life: The death of R. Azriel Hildesheimer
2021-11-2131 minDown The Rabbi HoleRav David Zvi Hoffmann, part 2Using Rav Hoffmann's introduction to Melamed Le-ho'il as a jumping off point, we continue our discussion of his life, work, unique combination of styles and methods, and important contributions to different areas of Torah.
2021-11-1428 minDown The Rabbi HoleRav David Zvi Hoffmann, part 1Using Rav Hoffmann's introduction to Melamed Le-ho'il as a jumping off point, we discuss his life, work, unique combination of styles and methods, and important contributions to different areas of Torah.
2021-11-0727 min
SeforimchatterWith Elli Fischer discussing Translation, Rav Eliezer Melamed, Peninei Halakha and moreLive Show #21.With Elli Fischer discussing his work on Rav Asher Weiss, his work on translating books & Seforim and how he goes about doing it, Rav Eliezer Melamed, Peninei Halakha and moreSupport the show
2020-07-2359 min
Jewish ReAction - OUFeaturing: Nachum Segal covers various topics with Zev Saffer, Rabbi Elli Fischer and Penina Taylor
2016-04-1200 min